Edye Newsome

Rebecca Rose

Saturday

Oct 29, 2011 at 12:01 AMOct 29, 2011 at 9:51 PM

Get to know Edye Newsome, who is an anesthesiologist for Rockford Anesthesiologists Associated.

Who is she? Edye Newsome, 44, is an anesthesiologist for Rockford Anesthesiologists Associated. She works at SwedishAmerican Hospital, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center. She is married to Tim Eisenrich and has four daughters, Samantha, 16; Isabelle, 11; Audrey, 8; and Lily, 5.

What does breast cancer month mean to you? Breast cancer became deeply personal to me when I was diagnosed in January 2010. It is a sisterhood of the most amazing people I have ever met. These women have incredible strength, courage, faith, hope and love, and I am proud to be one of them. Breast cancer month is a time to celebrate these amazing women and the people that have supported them, and showcase that this disease touches so many people.

How long have you been a survivor? I have been a survivor for a year.

What do you wish people knew about breast cancer? Breast cancer can happen to anyone. I didn’t have any of the risk factors associated with the disease, and yet it still happened to me. Lumps felt in young women are not always benign. I had many people tell me it was probably nothing. Don’t think it can’t happen to you. Do regular breast self-exams and get regular mammograms. I felt a lump in my breast, and afterward the doctors told me that it probably wouldn’t have been picked up on a mammogram. During my workup, they discovered another tumor in the same breast on an MRI that I couldn’t feel and didn’t show up on mammogram either.

What inspires you? I have always had a passion to help others. That is what drew me to the medical profession. My faith also inspires me to continue to give to those who are in greater need than myself.

Up next: I finished my last breast cancer treatment in May. I am looking forward to having life return to “normal.” The next several years will be devoted to adjusting my priorities to take care of me, have fun with my family, and give back to all those who have helped me through this journey.

For fun: I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy reading, gardening, needlepoint and doing anything outdoors.

Favorite place in the Rock River Valley: Peak Sports Club.

Motto: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13. And, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.” — Hebrews 11:1.

Two weeks off: My husband and I would take our 1970 AMX and drive Route 66.

Best of job? Worst of job? Having surgery often causes a lot of anxiety and stress for patients. I enjoy being able to make them more comfortable through the experience. I have been able to relate to my patients going through procedures related to breast cancer on a whole new level since I have experienced them myself. The most difficult part of my job are the long hours away from my family.
People are surprised to learn ... that I am adopted and met my biological mother when I was 25. We now have a very close relationship. I am happy that she has the opportunity to know her granddaughters.

Best advice you have received? It is never the circumstances that determine your success in life, but rather how you deal with the circumstances that determines your success in life.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a flight attendant. I wanted to travel and see the world. I didn’t realize that I wouldn’t see much more than a lot of airports.

Biggest challenge you have faced? I have faced many challenges in life including getting through medical school, divorce, being a single parent, but surviving cancer has been my biggest challenge to date. I was used to putting everyone else’s needs first, so my biggest challenge now is making me the priority and taking care of me first, so I will be healthy to take care of everybody else.

First job: Technically, it was baby-sitting, but the first job I had that the government took taxes from was as a busgirl at The Manor in Beloit, Wis.

Biggest pet peeve: People that think the world owes them something.

The Rock River Valley needs ... Whole Foods.

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